A new year - new possibilities

It seems strange to me that it's already new year's eve. In reflection I don't know what to say about 2008.

There were some great things that happened and also some not so great things.

We are no closer to reconciliation in family matters than we were last year - perhaps even further away. Mike and I struggle with this on a daily basis - we want peace, but it hasn't come to us. Our marriage is stronger these days because of our unity on this issue - but the situational stresses are still hard on us.

Maddie is a precocious almost-4-year-old. She is polite and sweet but at the same time often spoiled and I'm very much ready for the dramatic whining and crying phase to go away forever. She's doing well in preschool and looking forward to next year. We're trying to decide if she'll go full-time or part-time next school year and I'm trying to come to grips with if I really want to homeschool as I'm hopelessly disorganized and have no routine bone in my body! I believe in homeschooling and I'm very wary of our public schools here. I want my children to learn for the sake of learning and not because they need to pass a test. I want to see the light of excitement for education that I had and still have. 

Wyatt - my little man - turns 2 on friday. I'm having a hard time coming to grips with this. He's my baby and still very much a baby in so many ways. I'm thankful that all my friends were right - boys love their mommas. Yesterday he came up to me and said, "Mommy, I love you." It was the first time he's said that - he's been saying I love you, too - for a while now. But this was unprompted and genuine. I love how he wraps his arms around my neck and lays his head on my shoulder and whispers - I hold you or I got you, or love you too. It warms my heart always. He's such a funny little guy - with an amazing sense of humor. I know every parents feels the same way - but he's got a special talent for funny I think. Even his little friend Nicklaus goes around telling people that Wyatt is a funny little guy! (Nicklaus is 3). 

This year will bring some change for me - I'm taking my Doula certification in February and already have a client or two lined up. I also have no choice but to finally face my fears when it comes to dental work (and the financial expense) and will have to make decisions about what I'm going to do to save my teeth (long story). I'm hoping that we will be able to travel some more this next year. I loved visiting Portland and want to take my family to Montana in the next 2 years. I miss the mountains and want my family to experience the splendor of God's beauty and grace. 

The question of whether we'll have another child is also weighing on my heart. I'm going to gather my medical records and send them to a local midwife to have her review them. I trust her opinion more than my own doctor at this point and her thoughts will have a big part in whether we add to our family. I have a lot of fears about another pregnancy - I've had such a hard time with both of mine. But I know that I can do things to help with some of the issues and prayer will help with the rest. Mike and I love being parents - we love our children and while we should be happy with the two we have - and we most definitely are - the subject of baby #3 keeps coming up. 

I'm not sure what the year will hold for Mike. They will continue to try and hold on to the clients they have and hopefully things with the economy will change and they'll be able to expand a bit. I know there are days ahead when I'll be on my own - which is the worst part of being a captain's wife. It's not that I don't like my time alone - I do. It's the no break with young kids that wears me down. 

This year I'm expanding our garden and hoping to use raised beds instead of planting in the ground. I think I'll do much better that way. I'd like to get to the point of growing at least half of what we consume and then trying to buy locally as much as possible. I'm also planning to get a few chickens for eggs this spring. 

I'm excited for what 2009 brings. My kids are getting older and less dependent on me for every little thing and that's exciting (and why I would want to have another baby and start over is still perplexing to me!).

I hope your new year brings you peace and love and happiness. 

"Extended" Breastfeeding

Copyright 2007 by Anne Hinze, all rights reserved

It seems odd to me that people are so opinionated about a woman's decision to breastfeed her child longer than the obligatory 12 months. If you want to lecture me on something, lecture me on the fact that my almost -three-year-old is still addicted to her pacifier. That could have worse consequences for her than continuing to breastfeed through her preschool years.

The Facts:
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all babies be breastfed exclusively for 6 months and that breastfeeding should be continued for a minimum of 12 months and as long after as is mutually desired by mom and baby.

The World Health Organization goes even further - saying that after 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding you should continue to breastfeed for two years or beyond.

Both of these statements are much more complicated than how I've paraphrased them, but they are both official policy for these organizations.

Worldwide the average child nurses anywhere from 2-8 years - which is why anywhere other than the United States we see greater spacing between babies because breastfeeding offers a period of lactational infertility for most women.

There are so many other facts that are important to keep in mind when you're discussing extended breastfeeding.

Human milk does not magically transform into White Water as Dr. Jack Newman so wonderfully puts it. The antibodies and nutrients so important for the first year do not simply disappear - in fact some properties of human milk increase in value the longer a child nurses.

Humans are the only species that drinks another mammals milk. Human milk for human babies, etc. Your child has no need to consume dairy products at all - in fact they are the culprits of all sorts of problems for little ones. There is a highly respected doctor (can't remember his name) who strongly believes that an overwhelming majority of "colic" cases he sees are actually cases where the baby is allergic or sensitive to dairy proteins present in the breastfeeding mom's diet or in the artificial baby milk the child is consuming.

So my son will not be introduced to cow's milk for a long time. I'm going to keep nursing him and that's the only milk he needs. He's already shown a tendency towards a diary allergy when he consumes yogurt and promptly throws it back up within an hour. I've limited the amount of dairy I consume so he is exposed to less through my breast milk.

Dr Jack Newman also says this: "Breastmilk is, after all, milk. Even after six months, it still contains protein, fat, and other nutritionally important and appropriate elements which babies and children need. Breastmilk still contains immunologic factors that help protect the baby. In fact, some immune factors in breastmilk that protect the baby against infection are present in greater amounts in the second year of life than in the first. This is, of course as it should be, since children older than a year are generally exposed to more sources of infection. Breastmilk still contains special growth factors that help the immune system to mature, and which help the brain, gut, and other organs to develop and mature."

"What about the emotional damage I'm doing to my toddler by continuing to breastfeed?"

This is one of the most frustrating questions I've come across. First of all, plenty of babies/toddlers self-wean and do so around a year or at two years - all by themselves. So if an infant/toddler is still nursing then it is because they choose to do so. You can't force a child to breast as you can with a bottle. The baby has to latch on and suck in order to get milk - all they have to do with a bottle is swallow as the milk drips into their mouth.

Dr. Newman again... "And breastfeeding makes the toddler dependent? Don’t believe it. The child who breastfeeds until he weans himself (usually from 2 to 4 years), is generally more independent, and, perhaps, more importantly, more secure in his independence. He has received comfort and security from the breast, until he is ready to make the step himself to stop. And when he makes that step himself, he knows he has achieved something, he knows he has moved ahead. It is a milestone in his life.

Often we push children to become "independent" too quickly. To sleep alone too soon, to wean from the breast too soon, to do without their parents too soon, to do everything too soon. Don’t push and the child will become independent soon enough. What’s the rush? Soon they will be leaving home. You want them to leave home at 14? If a need is met, it goes away. If a need is unmet (such as the need to breastfeed and be close to mom), it remains a need well into childhood and even the teenage years."


I've never let my babies cry it out, they've always been fed on demand - no limit on the number of times they could feed in a day. There have been days when I'm sure Wyatt has nursed 20+ times because he's needed to be close to me and I give him comfort as well as nourishment. Both slept in our bed until it either became a safety issue or they became bed hogs. Ok well, wyatt has always been a bed hog! He's in and out of our bed most nights as he's not sleeping through the night yet -(what a travesty, he didn't sleep through the night by 6 weeks...)

I refuse to be obsessed with these little things. He will sleep all night when he no longer needs milk in the middle of the night. He'll take a sippy cup when he's ready (maddie was already the master of hers at this age, but i think she was super early in that skill). I could force him out of the night feedings, but it's the one time in the day when I can just cuddle him without any distractions. I'm bleary eyed most mornings but I know this part of his life will pass by so quickly and I have no regrets for the time we spend together nursing. One day he won't want me for that and something else will take it's place for comfort.

There are more important things to worry about than how long I intend to breastfeed my child.

It's about as rude as asking another parent how long they intend to feed their child formula in a bottle. It's one thing to see a two year old nursing (although chances are you won't see it in the USA very often as it's something stigmatized and moms often choose to do it in private rather than being singled out in public. I'll nurse in public as long as I feel comfortable). It's a totally different thing to see a two-year-old walking around with a bottle hanging from its mouth.

Like I said there are far worse things we can let our children do than continue to breastfeed until they're ready to wean.

So do I have an upper limit on how long I'll let my child continue to breastfeed? I'm honestly not sure. My first goal is 2 years and to see how we're doing at that point.

So I'm almost at my halfway point as my other friends are contemplating how to wean. I have no desire to even contemplate weaning as Wyatt shows absolutely no interest.

I'm still in love with his little facial expressions as he latches on - the squishing of his nose and wide open mouth - the little noises he makes when he's impatient for me to feed him. The way he turns his head and opens his mouth in a dead sleep when I feed him in my bed.

So if anyone asks me how long I intend to "do that" I'm very open and honest that there's no end in sight for right now.

and really it's none of their business.

The difference between breastfeeding and nursing

Copyright 2007 Anne Hinze, all rights reserved.

I read something recently that there is a profound difference between breastfeeding and nursing.

Breastfeeding is something you do that nourishes the child while nursing is something that nurtures him.

I've pondered that a lot recently. Wyatt is 11 months old on Sunday and most women would be thinking of weaning at this point. They might be looking forward to it, or facing it with some apprehension.

We're not anywhere close to being done breastfeeding or nursing. I decided that he'd self wean when he's ready, hoping to meet and or exceed the World Health Organization's recommendation of a minimum of two years.

But that's not what is really on my mind as I'm just finished nursing him again tonight.

I'm thinking of all the bumps and bruises he's gotten lately - falling face first into the table or floor, pulling out drawers and smashing his little fingers. Those are all situations where he's definitely not hungry, but the breast brings him comfort - immediate comfort. It's not even something I think about anymore. He gets hurt and I nurse him. He's come to expect it - it's what he's looking for the minute I scoop him up to kiss his owie.

I've always enjoyed the sweetness of a newborn turning their head and rooting for a breast, but an older baby is even more of a beautiful thing. Sometimes it's subtle - a sweet patting on my chest. "Mom, do you think you could feed me?"

Other times it's a little more direct - as he tries to bury his head next to my breast. He's not trying to lift my shirt or anything (although I'm sure that's coming eventually) but he makes it clear as he nuzzles close to what he desires.

Yes, there are moments when it can be inconvenient, but honestly I don't mind. My friends and family are used to seeing me nurse my babies. They don't ask me to cover up or go in a different room. I've even gotten comfortable with my mom peeking her head closer to say, "Aww, that is just so beautiful!"

There are always curious toddlers wondering what Wyatt is doing. It's certainly not my place to explain why mommies have milk, but if they ask I'll say he's drinking mommy milk or that he's eating. I remember nursing wyatt on the hay ride and a preschooler asked me what I was doing. I explained that I was feeding my baby with mommy milk. His mother looked a little displeased with my answer, but I'm not going to lie and say he's sleeping!

I guess that's the difference with my children. To them, breastfeeding has always been and will always be the normal thing. We don't have many bottles in our house as Wyatt only gets one once a week and sometimes he won't even take it. Maddie routinely nurses her stuffed animals and if she does give them a bottle, she specifically says that it's mommy milk that she's pumped!

I love this about being a breastfeeding mommy. I love seeing pictures of my kids at the breast - and any baby at the breast actually. It's a truly beautiful thing symbolizing the perfect bond between mom and child. My little girl wants to see pictures of me breastfeeding her, and talks about pictures of her brother breastfeeding. It's not an exhibition of my breasts, but a visual memory of a sacred time between me and my child.

Dr. Seuss for Nursing Moms

I have no idea who wrote this - so I can't give correct attribution - but it's very cute!

Dr. Seuss for Nursing Moms
Would you nurse her in the park?
Would you nurse him in the dark?
Would you nurse him with a Boppy?
And when your boobs are feeling floppy?


I would nurse him in the park,
I would nurse her in the dark.
I’d nurse with or without a Boppy.
Floppy boobs will never stop me.


Can you nurse with your seat belt on?
Can you nurse from dusk till dawn?
Though she may pinch me, bite me, pull,
I will nurse her `till she’s full!


Can you nurse and make some soup?
Can you nurse and feed the group?
It makes her healthy strong and smart,
Mommy’s milk is the best start!


Would you nurse him at the game?
Would you nurse her in the rain?
In front of those who dare complain?
I would nurse him at the game.
I would nurse her in the rain.


As for those who protest lactation,
I have the perfect explanation.
Mommy’s milk is tailor made
It’s the perfect food, you need no aid.


Some may scoff and some may wriggle,
Avert their eyes or even giggle.
To those who can be cruel and rude,
Remind them breast’s the perfect food!


I would never scoff or giggle,
Roll my eyes or even wiggle!
I would not be so crass or crude,
I KNOW that this milk’s the perfect food!


We make the amount we need
The perfect temp for every feed.
There’s no compare to milk from breast-
The perfect food, above the rest.


Those sweet nursing smiles are oh so sweet,
Mommy’s milk is such a treat.
Human milk just can’t be beat.


I will nurse, in any case,
On the street or in your face.
I will not let my baby cry,
I’ll meet her needs, I’ll always try.
It’s not about what’s good for you,
It’s best for babies, through and through.


I will nurse her in my home,
I will nurse her when I roam.
Leave me be lads and ma’am.
I will nurse her, Mom I am.

No Water Boy

Wyatt cannot stand to have a drop of water on his shirt.

It is incredibly annoying and endearing at the same time - and a major inconvenience to my laundry schedule (or lack thereof!).

Anytime he spills a drip or splashes a drop - a tantrum ensues and the offending article of clothing must be removed. It's never convenient to have a shrieking toddler trying to rip off his shirt either and it hasn't clicked in my head to carry extra tops with me when we're out and about.

He does not appreciate it when I tell him he's just going to have to wear it until it dries out! Now I'm not mean - making him wear a soaked shirt - in fact tonight he turned on the bathroom sink and soaked the sleeves of the jammies I'd just put on him. I changed him into another shirt very quickly (he was dripping on my floor!)

However - it's when there is just one little tiny drop that I hesitate to give in to his odd compulsion.

On Breastfeeding and Obscenity

On Breastfeeding and Obscenity
by Anne Hinze
Copyright 2007, all rights reserved
* I wrote this more than a year ago, but felt the need to resurrect it once again! (12/29/08)

It's sad that we live in such a backwards society. It's ironic to me that the human race, which from the beginning of time was raised on mother's milk - could have gone so far astray to think that feeding their infants with a bottle of artificial milk is the status quo.

The dual nature of breasts - both for nourishment of a child and sexuality with a partner - in our society it seems they can only be one or the other - but mainly the latter.

Since when is feeding a baby obscene? I seem to be in the minority because I firmly say never.

I've had people tell me that my picture of my son at my breast was disturbing to them.

So if you don't like what you see - don't look.



Then this morning I was scanning the latest posts on LACTNET (an online community for lactation professionals) and I saw a post about the video that the Maternal League of Justice had posted on YouTube - and that it had been banned.

I'm disgusted. I've personally witnessed far more disgusting videos on YouTube compared to photos of a baby at the breast. I watched the video - the one with sound - and it was beautiful and the song perfectly chosen. I'm appalled that the people in charge at YouTube would dare start such a controversy as banning a video of something that is perfectly acceptable.

I ask that to be fair they also ban any video of a parent, etc feeding their child a bottle - I could say that I find that offensive because I am a breastfeeding mother and feel that formula poses a number of particular health risks to the infant who consumes it.

So once again, I will resurrect my earlier post "On Breastfeeding and Obscenity," because it seems to be timely in the wake of the YouTube debacle. It was written a few months ago when another ignorant person (and yes I'm calling anyone who thinks a picture of a child at the breast is disgusting or obscene - IGNORANT) asked me to remove a picture of my son at the breast because she found nipples to be offensive. I took the picture down for a day or two - just to quiet things on the board (which I run...) but was convicted of the fact that I needed to put it back up. She appreciated it when I took the picture down, but took it quite personally when i put it back up...

here goes:

To anyone who feels offended by me or pictures of my children breastfeeding:


I've been in quite a mood about this whole situation, honestly. I didn't just take it down because you were offended, but more because I am very disheartened and tired of the whole mess.

What you permit, you promote.

You asked me to remove a picture that I consider to be very beautiful - signifying something that is sacred to me - my son's nutrition and health. It's not just about that, though. It's about the bond we have as mother and son - a bond I'm sure that you share with your own children. Imagine how you would feel if you had a picture that signified something like that with your child and I asked you to remove it because I was offended that there was a bottle of formula in the picture?

Breastfeeding is something that is natural, yes - but it is something normal. Breasts were created by God as a source of nourishment for children. I agree that they are also sexual - as is something also designed by God. If you have any doubt about their double "use" I encourage you to read the Song of Soloman in the Bible and see the many references to breasts as something beautiful and a source of life.

It is only in the united states that we have such screwed up ideas when it comes to the purpose of breasts and sexuality and infant nourishment. If you went anywhere else in the world you would not find the need for laws to protect a mother's right to feed her child in public. Imagine someone asking you to go give your child a bottle in the bathroom. Or to leave the store because they considered it obscene to be putting a bottle in a baby's mouth.


So while I'm glad you are appreciative of my white flag so to speak - You have put me in a difficult situation because you have asked me to censor something that is very important and crucial to my life. You have asked me to put aside my personal convictions and pride in my life and my children's life and hide it.

like i said what you permit, you promote

so if i take down something that is beautiful to me and many others - just because someone says that they are offended - and i permitted their comment to affect me then i'm promoting the idea that breastfeeding is something offensive - which it most certainly is not.

and i hate that i've been put in that situation and that i've given in and done something that goes against everything I believe and l love.

I am very sad right now as I feel something dear to me has been stolen and I'm not talking about just a picture.

In your own way you are doing what you can to promote the idea that breastfeeding is obscene and helping further complicate matters when it comes to the rights of a mother to breast feed her child whether in public or private.

Shame on you.

Yes, I know...

I haven't been writing.

I can't say if it's just the hustle and bustle of the holidays or also a bit of a funk.

Soon I hope to be back. I'm starting to feel angsty from not writing.

Gingerbread Man

The last week of preschool  Maddie's class had a special activity and I was invited to participate. Ms. LaVina asked if I would be willing to come and bake a gingerbread man for the class and play a part in his running away - like in the story.

I was excited to help and let me tell you it was a fun-filled morning! 

Wyatt and I arrived in the classroom with Maddie that morning - and Angel also came with us since she was going to be baking the gingerbread man for her daughter's class - right after Maddie's class finished theirs. 

It was really neat being able to see what the kids do every morning in preschool. Wyatt joined right in - except when he was dismantling the gingerbread house. He ate every piece of candy off the front of it!

There is always an activity for the kids when they first come in - this day they painted gingerbread men

Wyatt playing with the cars in the classroom

Wyatt checking out the gingerbread house - notice the candies on the front? He ate them all!

Maddie and Angel doing the pledge

Ms. LaVina reading the Gingerbread Man story

Wyatt and the gingerbread house - I think he had candy in his mouth

Getting ready to mix the gingerbread - she let them all taste the batter before she started mixing it.

Everyone had a chance to help mix it up!

Playtime on the playground while he cooked - Wyatt joined right in the with the big kids!

He's baking!

The kids were outside playing when the gingerbread man ran away and left this note:

Here they are looking in the oven - but he was gone!

Look! Ms. LaVina reads them the note!

Quick - to the Marler Chapel!!!

After quite a goose chase - the kids ended back up in their classroom and look who they found waiting for them!

Christmas gift suggestions

I saw this on another blog that I follow and thought it timely and wise. 

I wanted to share it with 

my readers - 

May your Christmas be blessed with much love.

Christmas gift suggestions:

To all, charity.

To a customer, service.

To a friend, your heart.

To an opponent, tolerance.

To your enemy, forgiveness.

To the lonely, your presence.

To every child, a good example.

To yourself, kindness and respect.

A new stove!

Mike took Maddie out Christmas shopping last night and this is what they came home with! If you read the house falling apart blog I posted a few months ago you'll know that about three years ago our oven mysteriously stopped working on our gas range. Luckily we have a small- 1969 wall oven that is original and still works wonderfully. However lately the main burner on the stovetop has been acting weird. The flame is out of control at even the lowest setting and it's been scorching my pretty pots and pans! I have also missed having a larger capacity stove with multiple racks - as mine only has one rack and the size inside is very small. 

I am beyond impressed (and a little concerned about the amount of money spent, but it was all bonus money from good customers). Thank you honey! I love you!

30 years old

I thought I might have some deep, reflective thoughts about this "milestone" birthday -but I really don't. It's just another year, another number advancing like the rest of the world.

I did have a fabulous birthday party surrounded by family and friends on Saturday night. That was all I asked for - with no kids to worry about.

I will say that I am content with where I am in my life - I'd much rather be living in the Northwest - as would my husband - but we're happy together and as a family so that is really all that matters. 

Cuddly Morning

This morning I woke up to the sweetest voice whispering "Mommy, wake up!"

I opened my very sleepy eyes and peeked over the pillow and saw Wyatt's smiling little face.

That's enough to start anyone's day off on the right track!

He cuddled up to me and just as sweetly asked for "Milk." and he folded himself into the curve of my body and we cuddled and nursed for almost 20 minutes.

These are the mornings that I relish - the cuddles, the sweet words and the calm reflection of why I love being a mommy.

2008 Christmas Letter - Electronic Edition

2008 Hinze Happenings

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our friends and family!

We’ve certainly had a busy year! We started off the New Year celebrating Wyatt’s first birthday - and find it hard to believe that we’ll be celebrating his 2nd in just a few weeks! The end of January took us to Portland, Oregon where we had a fabulous family vacation and enjoyed the wedding of Anne’s best friend Heather MacDonald. We loved Portland and all it had to offer for young families! We mastered the Light Rail Transit System and never even rented a car! The kids had a blast as well and were great travelers. They really loved the Children’s Museum in Washington Park. We hope to go back some day soon and have even been dreaming about moving to the Northwest - when we win the lottery. We also took the kids on their first cruise in September - with Carnival Cruise Lines and had a great time. We drove to Miami, stopping to see friends in West Palm Beach. Our cruise took us to Key West and Cozumel, Mexico. We can’t wait to go again.

Mike has had a busy year - taking several tuna trips with the “Mixed Nuts” and its owners, doing a few boat deliveries and taking care of the business. Integrity Boat and Yacht is staying busy despite the poor economy and we feel beyond blessed that things have stayed the same for us. In early December Mike went on a hunting trip with the Mixed Nuts gang and shot 2 deer! Unfortunately he was only able to recover one of them. We’re thankful for the meat and have been enjoying lots of venison. He’s coaching Upward Basketball again this year and is trying his hand at 2nd and 3rd grade boys compared to 10th graders last year. He said he’s got his work cut out for him - but he loves it. He also is in high demand to work in the church nursery - Ms. Karen asks for him personally!

Anne is staying very busy with the kids as usual. She had oral surgery in February and also had her wisdom teeth out at the same time to get it over with. She coordinated the annual Ladies Tea at church - hiring the caterer, collecting door prizes and organizing the 25 hostesses. It was the largest attendance ever - with more than 200 women in attendance! She’s still working with moms and babies - teaching breastfeeding classes and doing private consultations. At some point this year she hopes to be accredited as a La Leche League Leader, too - it’s a long process that takes many months. This coming February she is taking a DONA birth doula workshop (professional labor assistant) and plans to complete that certication before the end of 2009. Check out her website at www.wombtobreast.com. In her spare time she is also singing in the contemporary praise and worship band at church several times a month.

Madeleine is almost 4 years old and in preschool now. She started at the Wesley Academy at our church in August. She goes twice a week and loves her teachers and classmates! She’s singing in the Wee Cherubs Choir, too and we have to say that they are adorably cute. They’ve had a few concerts this year and they’re just too precious. She remains the silly, girly girl who loves all things princess and dress-up. She also loves to create “collections” which are abstract works of art from found objects in the yard. She has quite the artistic touch!

Wyatt is no longer a baby - but definitely a little boy. He’s still snuggly and cuddly, though - which makes it a little easier for Mom - who is not ready to let him grow up yet! He’s turning two in just a few weeks. He’s talking like crazy! “Mommy, look at me,” strikes fear into Anne’s heart each time he yells it out! He’s adventuresome - a climber and mischievous. He is now sleeping on the crib mattress on the floor - thanks to his older sister who taught him how to climb out of his crib! He has the greatest personality and sense of humor and is always keeping us laughing and smiling.

All in all it’s been a great year. We’re thankful that our kids have been healthy and we’ve been healthy as well (except for Anne’s feet, but that’s another story!). We’ve been blessed to visit with many far away family members this year and look forward to more visits this year. We’re not sure where our travels are going to take us this year - but we’ve been talking about a trip to Montana to visit Anne’s haunts - or we may head up to Indiana to spend time with her Aunt Rachel and Uncle Larry in beautiful Indianapolis. We’ve also talked about going to Texas to visit some of Mike’s family or maybe even to upstate New York to see Anne’s grandma and aunts and uncles. The possibilities are endless!

We hope you are blessed as well and have a wonderful year in 2009. 

You can keep up with most of what we do by reading our family blog:

http://www.thehinzefamily.blogspot.com

Mike, Anne, Madeleine and Wyatt

I've mostly given up sending out Christmas cards - the time and expense is not rational for something that usually gets thrown away. Last year I sent out an electronic version and it was well received by most. So without further adieu - here is the 2008 edition!

December Photo Project- catch up! December 11-14, 2008

Well I've been taking pictures every day and even loading them into photobucket, but I just haven't had time to sit and write blogs for the last few days.

So I'm compiling my December 11-14th pictures into a larger post.

December 11-12, 2008

We had some rain over the weekend and I ventured out to my winter garden to see how it fared after the torrential downpours. The lettuce was a little beaten down, but it has since sprung back up and looks about ready to pick!



A neat effect on one of my broccoli plants - anxiously waiting for it to flower!


Some water beads on a broccoli leaf



My eternal green onion bucket - which I'm sad to say no longer looks this good as Maddie picked most of the longer stalks today while she was making soup! She also tormented my rosemary...


Snowflakes as the sun was setting - the only kind of snowflakes we'll get here in Florida!



December 12, 2008

Christmas Reflections at DeFuniak Springs-






December 13, 2008

Our 4th annual cookie exchange was a huge hit!



A rare picture of Mike and I together and dressed up to boot!



December 14, 2008

We went up to Crestview after church to have dinner with my grandmother. We took a few family pictures of the four of us...
Maddie sang at church in the morning - so did I - and we all dressed up in our Christmas best.


Wyatt in his suit






Mimi and Maddie:

A big boy bed - well kind of...

It's been coming - the day when Wyatt would grow out - I mean climb out - of his crib.

He's actually been climbing out for about a week - thanks to the wise instruction of his older sister!

I wasn't ready to give up the crib - although Maddie was moved to a twin-size mattress on the floor when she was not quite 18 months old.

I liked having a place to use for time outs - for me and him! And it was nice to know that he was contained and not wandering his room playing with toys when he should be napping.

But it's no longer a safe containment system and I worry about him falling and getting hurt - so this morning during the torrential down pours I took the crib apart (it's still in the hallway since it's STILL raining and we can't get out to the storage shed in the rain).

Eventually he'll have a twin-size mattress on the floor just like Maddie did - but for now he's alright on the crib one - although it's so small!

I was very pleased that he went down easily for his nap today and didn't get up to play! Tonight at bedtime I had to go in and lay down and nurse him a little bit more and when I got up the second time he told me "Night Night" and "I love you too" and stayed with his little head on the pillow - pulling his Thomas blanket up close to his face.

Part of me wants to cry (and that part wants another baby!) because it's just another way that he's not a baby anymore. There's a small part of me that was ready, but it was more out of necessity and safety I guess.

I'm going to start crying if I keep writing - because there are so many precious things about my little ones that move me to tears (of love and frustration!). I'm just amazed at them - how they grow and talk and learn so much about life from each day. I love that I am able to be a part of their world as a stay at home mom - to experience the awe and wonder that fills their little eyes.

I am humbled by my children - always.

December 9, 2008 DPP

I really didn't take any interesting pictures for the 9th, but I snapped this self portrait of me and Wyatt LATE last night after I came back from speaking at a local Bradley Method Childbirth class. He had fallen asleep while I was gone and woke up the minute I walked in the door and was quite wired after that for a good hour...

December 10, 2008 DPP

Today was a horribly rainy and soggy day. It was dark when we got up at 8 a.m. and remained dark and nasty for the rest of the day. There was thunder and lightning and crazy mommies going stir crazy with equally crazy children.

I worked in Wyatt's room today - I'll post another blog about that in a few minutes probably.

Anyways - while I worked - the kids destroyed the rest of the house and Wyatt ran around dressed as a bug/spider/monster and carried around his drum - driving me even more crazy. He was trying to compete with the torrential downpour!

And he growled at you when you looked at him - because he is after all a boy - and delights in playing the monster!

December 8, 2008 DPP

Well I never did take pictures on the 7th and took several on the 8th, but didn't post them - so better late than never, huh?

I was determined to make a nice dinner Monday night and made fresh bread - only to realize that I had NO butter! So I improvised and used heavy cream and made my own fresh butter! It's easy to do - you pour some cream in a jar - I add a little salt for taste and shake until it gets so unbelievably thick that you don't think it will do anything - and then suddenly it sloshes and forms into a hard ball and the buttermilk is drawn out of the butter. It's pretty cool!

Some pictures of the process:

Christmas Traditions for our Family

We all have them - traditions entrenched in how we celebrated the holidays in our own families. When we grow up and have families of our own we find ourselves trying to keep what is important to us and our spouse and maybe even come up with a few new ones.

I'm interested to hear what your Christmas traditions are - so I'll start by telling you the ones we have for now.

• A real tree - no matter how much extra money it costs and how many trees died in the process - I will NEVER have anything but a real tree in my house! I love the smell - the fun of going as a family to pick out our tree and everything that surrounds it. We might not be able to drive out to the mountains and cut down our own as I did in my childhood in Montana, but a real tree is a must. There is nothing like the beauty of a perfectly shaped, wonderfully smelling, and full branches ready to hang on lights and ornaments.
  
• Stockings - These were HUGE in my family! Our stockings were filled to overflowing on Christmas Eve and I remember waking up early - like at 4 a.m. and being able to get my stocking when I woke up. Mike said they did stockings, too - but they opened them after they'd opened all the presents. We're going to keep with my tradition of opening them first - because I know the day is coming when Maddie and Wyatt will be up at the crack of dawn - or perhaps before and letting them open their stockings while Mommy and Daddy are still sleeping will guarantee us a little more sleep hopefully! Stocking are big with my best friend Becca, too and every year we fill each other's stockings - this will be our third (fourth?) year of exchanging stockings and we both have a blast filling them for each other!
• Christmas Eve Service- We always went to the service on Christmas Eve in my family and it feels weird to NOT go to church that night. Mike says his family never went to church on Christmas Eve, but we've made it a tradition to go as a family - with my parents and siblings. There's something magical and spiritual about the service and I always leave in festive and reverent spirits at the same time. 
• Christmas Eve Family Time - We tend to spend Christmas Eve with family. In years past we opened presents with Mike's side of the family and then headed over to my parent's house for snacks and to hang out. One thing we always did as a family when I was a child was to open one present on Christmas Eve. We still do this - whether it's at our house or at my parent's house. 

This year we're spending the night at my parent's house so we can have Christmas morning at their house - we made them all get up early and come to our house last year. My mom still likes to have Christmas morning at her house, but I told her since we're the only ones with little kids that there must be compromises now and I want my kids to have some kind of Christmas morning at our house. I'm still trying to figure out how to incorporate presents from Grandmomma. Some years she's here for Christmas, but last year and this year she isn't. I want to have a special time to open her presents so I think it will alternate between Christmas Eve and Day depending on where we are for Christmas morning and if she's with us that particular year. 

• St. Nick - this is a new tradition for us that we tried this year. St. Nick comes to check on little boys and girls on Dec. 5 - if they've been good he leaves them a small present in their stocking. If they have not been good he leaves nothing and they know that they need to get their act together by Christmas.
• Santa Present - this is one thing that Mike and I kind of disagree on. He wants all the presents to be from Santa and I want just one - bigger one - to be from Santa. I'm honestly not a big fan of Santa Claus - just because I know the magic must one day come to an end and dealing with that disappointment is breaking my heart already! For now - I'm winning - they get one Santa Present - typically left in their bedroom by "santa" and then the rest of presents are from mommy, daddy and family members. 
• Cookies and Milk for Santa - carrots for the reindeer.
• Going out to see the Christmas lights. We are blessed to have lots of options around here. This year we're making a point to do the Niceville Christmas display several times, ZOOlights and traveling to DeFuniak Springs to see the beautiful Victorian houses around the circle. There are also plenty of well decorated neighborhoods.
• Sharing with those less fortunate. It goes without saying that Christmas stirs many emotions for us and I am touched every holiday season to help as many as we are financially able. This year we did a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child, bought presents for a little boy who wanted jammie pants - for our local Christmas Tree Star program at the church - and I've helped out a few other friends who have needed a little help - whether it was money or groceries, etc. 
• Celebrating Jesus's birth - This probably should have come first - and not last - but we do so many things to talk about the birth of Christ with the kids - especially Maddie. We have our Little People Nativity - and play with that - explaining the different "characters." We are also doing an Angel Advent Chain - her preschool sent it home - she looks forward to it each night. We sing traditional carols and read the Christmas story as well.

So there are mine - please share yours!

Hometown Christmas

Last night I joined my girlfriends at the Niceville Hometown Christmas festival. It was mostly a fun experience. I will rant for a moment here and tell you about our two rather unfavorable experiences.

It's cold outside and they were selling hot chocolate. We bought our hot chocolates and went inside the Community Center to warm up. As it sometimes happens - one of the kids spilled their hot chocolate and thankfully wasn't burned. The liquid, however, went all over a chair.

A lady - dressed as an ELF - came over and was quite rude to my friends - Christina - bless her heart - was trying to scrub out the chocolate from the blue chair - with a 20 lb baby strapped to her chest. This lady didn't once ask if the children were ok - or if she could help. She told Christina to get out of the way and MOVE! And at the same time she worried out loud about the carpet. I was standing there when she said - you aren't even supposed to have food or drinks in here!

My response to her - Well, it's cold outside, you are selling hot chocolate and there are no signs that say no food or drink in here.

Within 10 minutes, the grumpy elf returned with large yellow - handwritten signs scrawled with "NO FOOD OR DRINK" and plastered them on the doors.

My other complaint was that there were two beautiful trees inside the community center - and my daughter and her friend were admiring them and as curious toddlers often do - they gently touched the pretty ornaments. Some man - who I guess was responsible for the displays told them that the ornaments would bite them - which is a LIE and then complained to me that no one told him there would be kids allowed in the building and that it was all breakable and normally this building was reserved for adult functions.

Well - this is a family event and posting no kids allowed signs in the craft fair just isn't friendly. It was bad enough that we were treated badly because of a little spilled drink, but to then be complained to about kids being in the building put a rather sour taste in our mouths.


Fortunately there were plenty of other options there that were much more kid-friendly and we enjoyed ourselves eventually.

The kids loved the Reindeer Games and seeing some of the Disney princesses. I loved the hot, homemade soups for $2 a large cup!